NZ view: Australia will again struggle in Test season because players are ‘too soft’

May 5, 20146:37pm

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 02: Quade Cooper of the Reds is tackled by George Moala of the Blues during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Blues and the Reds at Eden Park on May 2, 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

NEW Zealand’s rugby media has landed the first Bledisloe blow of the year despite the first trans-Tasman Test still being more than three months away.

The Crusaders and Blues recorded Super Rugby victories over Australian sides the Brumbies and Reds, respectively, at the weekend before the Waratahs salvaged some local pride with a thrilling nine-point triumph over the Hurricanes.

The current trans-Tasman tally currently sits 7-6 in favour of New Zealand’s sides yet despite that narrow margin the New Zealand Herald’s Chris Rattue believes the Wallabies will again struggle to compete with the All Blacks because they are, wait for it, “too soft”.

“Another season, the same old problem for Australian rugby. They’re soft,” Rattue wrote.

“The Reds and Brumbies weren’t beaten by the Blues and Crusaders. They were beaten up. The Aussies look no closer to fielding a test team capable of more than just clinging on through a season.

“The Blues were mightily impressive at Eden Park, but they were allowed to be. John Kirwan found the way to let big bangers like Charles Piutau loose. The Blues are still operating without a dominating presence at No10, but no matter. To put it nicely - the Reds were gun shy. To put it another way, they were powderpuffs.

“The Crusaders, with a near test-quality pack, smallish backline and early injury setbacks, dominated the confrontation areas against the Brumbies. The 33-year-old Richie McCaw, in another comeback, was able to shine in the trenches. Rather than expose their scrum in a prime attacking position, the Brumbies preferred a lineout from which their rolling maul rolled nowhere.”

Rattue did find a silver lining for Australia in the form of the Waratahs and specifically, rising young lock Will Skelton.

Skelton could yet find himself in a Wallabies jersey for next month’s series against France, although Rattue already has him earmarked as a key Bledisloe addition.

“There are two big beacons of hope for the Wallabies,” Rattue continued.

“One is Israel Folau, obviously. If the Wallabies use him well, the 103kg fullback - a marvellous athlete - partly compensates for a lack of grunt in front of him. The Wallabies can also send crossfield bombs to the corners, hoping the cross-coder leaps for tries.

“The other is Waratahs lock Will Skelton. The Auckland-born monster isn’t hard or fit enough yet, but at 22 he has time. Skelton is a potential signpost for Aussie rugby, which must find stronger men - whether it be physical, mental or a combination - to build a future on.”

Will Skelton continues to improve at the Waratahs.Source:Getty Images

Rattue’s forthright criticism of the local game wasn’t the only trans-Tasman topic to come out of the weekend though with New Zealand-born Australian referee Steve Walsh under fire for his handling of Saturday night’s clash in Sydney.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said he’d be seeking clarification from SANZAR over a few of Walsh’s rulings while stuff.co.nz scribe Chris Barclay noted the 42-year-old whistleblower had history with Wellington sides.

“Walsh has a well-documented history of infuriating Wellington rugby fans - a distrust that stems from his control of the Lions’ unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in 2001,” Barclay wrote.

“The Australian-based referee’s decision-making and interaction with players was again a focal point during the Waratahs’ 39-30 win at Allianz Stadium.

“The Hurricanes were denied a likely bonus point when halfback TJ Perenara was penalised for backchat in the 75th minute when Walsh ruled a knock-on against replacement outside back Matt Proctor as the visitors launched a desperate counter-attack.”

The trans-Tasman rivalry will continue in round 13 with the Hurricanes travelling to Melbourne to face the Rebels on Friday while the struggling Reds welcome the revitalised Crusaders to Brisbane on Sunday.